Molding machine



May 13, 1952 w. B. RQDDENBERY, JR 2,595,602

MOLDING MACHINE Filed May 17, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 1N VEN TOR.

May 13, 1952 W. B. RODDENBERY, JR 2,596,602

MOLDING MACHINE Filed May 17', 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

May 13, 1952 w. B. RODDENBERY, JR 2,596,602

MOLDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l Filed May 17, 194s May 13, 1952 W. B. RODDENBERY, *IR

MOLDING MACHINE v5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 17, 1948 Ma Y a,

May 13, 11952 w. B. RODDENBERY, JR 2,595,602

f MOLDING MACHINE Filed May 17, 1948 5 sheets-sheet 5 f2' ff d INVENTOR. By/ 4, f

Patented May 13, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOLDING MACHINE Walter B. Roddenbery, Jr., Cairo, Ga.

Application May 17, 1948, Serial No. 27,541

18 Claims. (Cl. ,Z5-42) This invention relates to molding machines and more particularly to molding apparatus for the rapid production f slabs, tiles, shingles and like articles from mixtures of cement and asbestos ber, cement and sand or any plastic material suitable for the manufacture of such articles.

Machines to be used in the rapid production of shingles or the like from plastic material by the application of pressure preferably comprise a plurality of molds arranged in series so that the molding pressure applied to the initial mold will be transmitted from mold to mold to compress the plastic material in each of the molds, thus forming a plurality of shingles in a single operation. This type of machine is preferable to that in which a plurality of molds are arranged in parallel, that is side-by-side, and compressed in a single operation, since forthe series arrangement only suiiicient pressure, neglecting friction, is necessary for the formation of a single shingle, whereas with a parallel arrangement it is necessary to increase the pressure by a multiple equal to the number of shingles being formed. It is, therefore, apparent that where a parallel arrangement is used as the number of molds is increased the mechanism for compressing the molds must of necessity become more bulkyand expensive in order to provide the necessary pressure, whereas with a series arrangement it is only necessary to increase the length of the pressure stroke the instantaneous pressure required being constant except for the small increase necessary to overcome increased friction. Where a series arrangement of molds is used, however, many diiiiculties arise which are not necessarily encountered when using a parallel arrangement of molds. Thus strippers (which Will be properly aligned with the molds) must be provided to remove the formed articles, likewise means for opening the molds equal amounts after the formed articles have been stripped from the molds and means for uniformly depositing and packing the plastic material to be molded in the molds must be provided. It is, therefore, an object of my invention is to provide a molding machine of the compression type wherein the molds are arranged in series and means are provided for uniformly charging the plastic material, and stripping and opening the molds.

It is further desired to provide means whereby holes or the like may be formed in the molded articles after the plastic material has been deposited in the molds so as to insure even distribution of the molded material around the openings thus formed.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a plurality of molds arranged in series and urged to gether by a single hydrauli-c piston. The molds are lilled from a movable box-like container, the bottom of which ts the top of said molds and serves as a cover therefor during the compression stroke of the molding cycle. In order to remove the molded articles from the molds, individual strippers are provided, the strippers being adapted to move in unison during the stripping operation so as to complete the stripping of all the molds in one movement. Since it is necessary that each stripper be accurately aligned with its respective mold prior to the stripping operation, the strippers are carried by and are movable with the molds during the compression and return strokes of the machine.

In order to positively form nail holes or the like in the molded article, hydraulically operated plungers are provided in alternate molds the plungers being actuated during the molding cycle.

A pantograph linkage arrangement is provided to separate the individual molds in unison and by equal amounts on the return stroke of the compressing piston. In order to prevent damage to the pantograph system during the compression cycle of the molding operation, yielding connections are provided between the pantograph and the molds.

To provide thorough dispersion of the plastic material in the individual molds the material is deposited in the molds under air pressure, small openings being provided at the bottom of the molds to prevent the formation of air pockets which would inhibit proper dispersion.

The various units of the machine are preferably operated by iluid pressure, valves being provided for effecting their operation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon a study of the following description of one embodiment oi my invention in conjunction with the drawings. y i

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the end sections and a section near the center of my molding machine;

Figure 2 is a top plan sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Figure 1 and showing the compression cylinder and piston together with some of the molds;

Figure 3 is a top plan View of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional end view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4 and showing in detail the means employed for forming holes in the molded articles;

Figure 7 is a view taken along line l-'I of Figure 4 giving a cross section View of the feed-box;

Figure 8 is a sectional perspective View showing the molds in open position with their associated stripper plates;

Figure 9 is a detail view of a stripper plate;

Figures V1I)e 11 and 12 show in detail, the connectioniof thepantograph to the rst mold, intermediate molds and the end or stationary mold;

and

Figure 13 is a schematic View of the hydraulic systems employed to operate the various'fmo'vable Q parts of the molding machine. Y

The molding machine ccmpri's'e's'gen'erallya plurality of aligned molds formed from interengaging mold blocks ID supported on track y`II. The mold blocks are provided with wheels I2 and are guided and held in alignment with each otherby engagement with cylindrical horizonftally disposed shafts I3along which' they are adapted to slide. The shaftsv I3 together with the track II are supported byframe members I4 'and I5 formed of reinforced concrete or 'other suitable building material.V A third supporting frame' member I, through which the'shafts also pass,together Withframemember I serves to sup- Y port the cylinder and piston by means of which the mold blocks III are moved.

v A T-shaped supporting member I1 is provided Von the upper edge of the molding machine for supporting a feed box I8 having a bottom 49,7and their associated actuating piston cylinder assemblies and 2|.

to the supporting walls fland l5. Referring to AFigure 4 it willbe noted that'. the mold blocks Ii) are provided at their upper edges witha cutaway portion 22 slightly greater inl depth than. the thickness of the T support Il. This is to insure that the top surfaceiof the T support Il is substantially in thesame plane as thetops of the molds and that a small space is provided between the bottomsurface of the T supportxandV the moldsrso that'the feed box .I8 andits bottom I9 may easily be slid over the molds forlling them andat the'same time su'iicient clearance be provided between the mold blocks I0 and thundersurface fof the T 'support I 'I s'that. the T Vsupfjport I 'I `will not interfere with" the movement .of

ythermold blocks.

Vmay move relative to each other so as to stay in alignment with the respective molds. The shaftv 24 has a shoe 25 rigidly secured to each end. These shoes are adapted tomove in vertical A guides 26 secured to the end walls I4 and I5 to prevent Ylateral movement the shaft `2ll.` AEach of the shoes is rigidly secured tov oneend of a cross vbeam 21 which in turnfisconnecte'dto the piston 28A ofa hydraulic motor 29 by means of which the stripper plates fare actuated.

The mold blocks I are actuated by. means of the movementof a piston 3c in a cylinderl 3l through fluid pressure, the actuating iiud being l admitted into the cylinder on therespectiv'e; sides of the piston through pipes 32 and 33. One end fof, thepiston v is rigidlyseoured` to therst mold block VIlla'by means of bolts or'the like 34.

The ends of the 'IT-,shaped sup-V porting member I'I rest on and are rigidlyfsecursd :protruding section of one mold block will closely ilt and move into the recess of the adjacent mold j block .i'n much the same manner that a piston Works in a cylinder.

'On the recessed side of the mold block the recessis extended the vertical length of the block to'escapeiwhen .the molds are being lled,

and a further transverse recess El' is provided. A 'plate 38 having an indented portion or shallow recess lill, slightly wider than the thickness of 'one ,oi vthe stripper plates 23, is secured into .the 'recess' el at the bottom of the moldblock.V The plate 39 forms the bottom of themold cavityl and the recess orslotiil in the' plate 39 provides a space in which the stripper plate 23 can move. A vstrip/58 of rubber orlike materialis secured to the top edge of the stripper plate 213 in Yorder to prevent leakage of material between the stripper plate 23 Yand the mold block iuand plate 39 when the stripper plate 23 is in retracted position. VA ,cutaway section i2 is providedrin the bottom .of vthe mold blocks Il) and plates 39 to permit thel shaft 2G, on which' the stripper plates .to ride on ltracks II toreduce friction and prevent delectionof shafts I3 due `to the appreciable weight ofV mold blocks ID, vwhen themold blocks are moved toward or vaway from each other.. Referring tov Figure 8 it will be noted that the upper sise portions es ofthemoid blocks are slightly thicker than the section including the plateihThe reason for this istofprovide a` small vopening le (see Figures Zand 3) at the bottoml ofthe mold cavities @il when the mold blocks are. in expanded position, the openingffi permitting, air anda small elif-L0.lllfltV of material one'extending into'the' cavity 3l of the adjacent mold'block.Y .The lblocks are maintainedin correct alignment with each otherby means of the U,guide ,bars 13 which extend; .through holes (-45 formed Iin the side/sections d3. of the'mold blocks.

These holes Vshould be .of' 'only slightly larger diameter than the rods I3 so vas ,topreventg as far as' possibleany lateral' or `vertical*movement the core. 4 Therefore, meanshave been provided to form thenail-holes positively during the molding operation., This is laccomplislhied by provid- ,.ingfin every other rroldblock a'series o f hydraulically operated nail hole formers 46 one of which is illustrated in detail in Figure 6. Referring to Figure 6 a bore 41 is provided, which passes through the mold and has an opening 48 near its center which communicates with a flexible conduit 49. Within the bore 41, disposed on either side of the opening 48, are two pistons 50 spaced from each other by a spacing ring I. Each of the pistons is connected to a plunger or movable core 52, the diameter of which is the same as that of the desired nail hole. The ends of the plungers 52 pass through members 53 which serve to close the ends of the bore and act as guides for the plungers 52. The pistons 50 are continuously urged inwardly toward eachother into their retracted position by means of compression springs 54. With this structure it is apparent that on admission of a fluid, such as air, under pressure through the fluid passage 49 to the center of bore 41 the pistons 50 and their associated plungers 52 will be forced outwardly against the pressure of springs 54 to form holes in the shingle material, shortly after the feed box bottom I9 has closed and during the compression stroke but before the material has been compressed into a compact hard state. The pressure in uid passage 49is sucient to overcome opposite pressure of compression spring 54 and to force plungers 52 into the uncompressed material but it is only slightly greater so that during compression the mold block aided by the compression spring 54 will force plungers 52 and their pistons back somewhat into bore 41; the iiuid pressure in passage 49, however, keeps the end of plunger 52 in contact with the mold blocks until the compression stroke is completed when pressure in fluid passage 49 is released by opening the valve which allows spring 54 to completely retract plunger 52 whereupon there is then no obstruction to stripping the compressed material.

It is seen that only a small pressure `by the mold blocks is required to force the plunger into the bore 41 during the first part of the compression stroke, which pressure will not cause the plunger to bend but as the plunger is forced into the bore 41 further, more pressure from the mold block is required but the length of the plunger inserted into the material is shorter and is better able to withstand this pressure.

After the plastic material to be molded has Ibeen deposited in the molds, the molds are forced .together by the' piston 30 acting on mold `block Illa which in turn, through the plastic material disposed between it and the next mold block, transmits the pressure to the next mold block and so on down the line until the plastic material in each mold has been sufficiently compressed. The last mold block IDb is rigidly secured to the supporting wall I4 and does not move. On the return stroke of the piston 30 only the initial mold block Illa would be moved. Provision is made, therefore, by means of a pantograph system 55 to transmit the return movement of the rst mold block Illa to each of the other mold blocks I0 so that they, with the exception of end block Illb, will move an equal `amount as each mold block relates to the adjacent mold block. That is, the distance between each mold block will be practically the same at any time during the return stroke and at end of return stroke. The mold cavities thus formed will all be substantially equal. The mold blocks do not move the same distances, respectively, but the spread between each pair of adjacent mold blocks is the same. If it were a six shingle machine the mold block Illa would actually move a distance six times as great as the last mold block which is adjacent to lub.

In order not to damage the pantograph `system 55 yielding connections are provided between the pantograph 55 and the respective mold blocks IIla and I0. For a detailed description of these connections reference is now made toV Figures 10 through 12. The points of crossing of the pantograph links are connected to the respective mold blocks, the method of connection being the same for the intermediate mold blocks I0 and varying somewhat where the pantograph is attached to the end blocks Illa and |017. Describing rst the pantograph connection to the intermediate blocks I0 illustrated in Figure 11, the pantograph links 56 are pivotaliy secured to the block I0, at the point of crossing, by means of a pin 51. i The pins 51 enter the mold blocks I0 through elongated slots 58 which communicate with boresor cavities 59 into which the end of the pins 51 pass and are secured by cotters 60. Relatively stiff compression springs 6I are placed in the bores 59 and held in position by a screw-threaded plug 62. The springs are of suiiicient stiffness so as not to yield during the opening cycle of the molding operation when the blocks are urged toward the left, as viewed in Figure il, by the .pantograph linkage, but are of sufficient iiexibility to yield during the compression cycle to compensate for difference in spacing between the molds. This is important since the density of the plastic mix is not always uniform and if someof the mold blocks obtain material between them of somewhat denser consistency than that between some of the other mold blocks the pantograph linkage would be damaged. However, with the provision of yielding connections as described, sufcient rigidity is obtained for the proper operation of the pantograph to open the molds and at the same time a yielding connection is provided to prevent damage during the compression cycle. The connection of the rst mold block Illa to the movable end of the pantograph linkage is illustrated in detail in Figure 10. The pin 51a, spring 6Ia, and lCotter 60a are for the same purpose as those described in Figure l1 for the Aintermediate mold blocks I0. An extra spring 63 somewhat stiffer than spring Sla is provided on the other side of pin 51 so as to provide a cushioned connection between the mold block Ia andthe end of the pantograph 55.

The stationary end of the pantcgraph is connected to the last mold block Ib as illustrated lin Figure 12 so as to permit adjustment of the point of attachment. The mold block I0b is provided with a channel or slot B4 in which a block 65, which is attached to the end of pin 51h, is adapted to slide, The block is secured in the channel in any selected position by means of bolts 66 passing through threaded ridges 61 formed 'in the mold block Ib. It is apparent that the position of block 65 and pin 51h can be easily varied by means of the retaining bolts B5.

The feed box consists primarily of a box I8 and a bottom I9 each adapted to be movedover the molds by means of hydraulic motors 20 and 2|, respectively. Plastic material, for example, Va

cement and asbestos fiber mixture, is fed into the box I8 through one or more conduits 10 from a mixing chamber or hopper 11. If more than one conduit 10 is used, they are equally spaced along the top of box I8 and each conduit will have its associated check valve. As box I8 and hopper 11 are reiativelymovable .conduit 10 must be flex- -iblealike'wisrcnduit 14 I ,..hereinafter .to.. be.- more particularly described. i. ,Whenfiillingithe -moldsithei f,eed-box-.l 8-.is-.vmoyed by; hydraulicr-motor.; 2 0: -over...the-fV mold cavitiesy 4 l Whilethe-loottomy i9 :remains.-stationary. After the-reed hox :l Bris-.completely ,overthe 1moldS...air .rinden-@pressure `is admitted-tinto. :the box 8 throughconduit y'l I- .toi pack Lthe, plastic.N material intofthegmolds.. ThefsmallopeI-lillg ylillin ,-thezbot- .tom:oifieachi-mold..cavity. lIlI;-permits; airptrapped infairrpockets to, Lescapeirom.;thegfmolds. thus assuring-even distribution-off plastic; molding material :1throughout1.,the molds. v. A-eheck Valve-.1221s `provdedfinA the. materialffeed; liner. 10 .torpreyent the :compressed airfenteringsthe box* toa escape .throughethisgpath--. Aften-the .plasticematerial in the? molds...hasY been-1.subjectedLtthe airqpressure;v the-'bottom sifwo'f. the-.boxrrisnslid forward through eperationfofhydraulio motor 21:,the ybox .bottom fi S'fremaining ziny .this 5 position-i while the mold,.blocksiy fare. :.moved; toward :each other to .perform the compression cycle ofzthe moldingoperation. 1: Theeed .boxafl .audits 4bottom 1,9,. due .to thefengagement of .fthe-.feedibox with .shoulder -13'formed "cnet-he; bottom I Quarerthen returned .to their-initial .position ithrough: activatiorryof.- hydraulic motor.` 28. .Thefeed Vbox 'I8 .is provided with spaced horizontal iwebs 114. to prevent. the bottom"lrfromebeing; forced up into the v-box-,by .the plasticA molding-.material .during .thermold-ing operation, tand'. in order.: to preventV upward .movement of -thebox'- IB-ranges v-lEi are :provided which.V move. under` xed. vhold'clown orzretaining mem-bersVv 1.5; twosuch^-membersf being. provided, .Unep-1to1. .each L' flange :1 5, these 'members being v.rigidly mountedupon the .frame ofthe machine. One endof-each-:member--issecured to ,support `Vl V,and -its other :endto'v a .rigid support Y (not: illusftrated), .uponr theopposite side .offthe machine.

In Figure 13 a -hydraulic system for operating the .molding machine has-beenfshown schematifcally. f As illustrated thevalvesare shown in a 'sim-ple `schematic .form and arefwell spaced from .eachother to vaid in the. description.: However,

.in-actual application, all. of `the control 'valves Y willfbelocated-together so as tobe easilyfaccessible tothe operator... It is alsoapparent that .the -valves canbe .combined Vvor nterlocked -so .as-nto .produce the :sequenceV of operations. which will hereinafter be described.

As illustratedin .-ligure` 13 the., hydraulic oper- ,atingsystemactually comprises two separate sys- .tems,..one .for operatingthe pistonY 30 vfor moving lthemold-blocks l 8a. and l 0,. and., .the other for op- .eating'. the .various l.other parts of the machine.

''Ihisha's beenfoundadvisable. sinceglthe pressure `for.. operating the .piston Sfis of necessityconsid- .'erably L greater than, that .required .for Yoperating .the rest`of thelmachine. Therefore oil .has Ybeen .used .as the operating fluid in' thesystemrequirhydraulic motors .foradriving fthe. :auxiliaryeparts of the moldingmachine. arershown. asbeing-.Silppliedirom. a .single .source .of compressedair 8,8.

the..air.Ybeimaxhausted` directlyirom .ther motors .to-mha. atmosphere .l .onf yreturn i movement. ,of the pistons incsaid motors.

: :Having describedV the..component parts, .oi...my

moldingmachirie I '.wilLnow describe.one complete zcycle ofoperation. referring to ,Eig-ure l3ior a.= schematic illustration. .ofthefhydraulicr-systemsl used. .ins-the drawings thevarious-.parts of my. molding. machine. are shown in fthe. positions they;- occupy. atithe beginning ,of.a. molding: cycle. Inioperationyalveeg is vturned so. .asta permit .air yunderpressure-from .compressemain :tank 88 toyentencylinder 2 D/throughfpipe-Bm to.- moyeathe feed boxfal8...'overffthe .mold .cavities 4I. :,As; the box |81:-moyesL-acrossf. the: -mold cavities plastic .molding :material is. depositeduthereinirom `the .boxel8. After the feedbox has completedits for- Ward movement, .it ;is` in. a 4position. such fthat-.it completely yrcoversf. all' `of the 4.molol` cavities 1 4 l. vValve 19| isnow V openedA to permit air-.unden-piressureifromrtank- 88 to enter-feed `box ythrollehccon- -duit ,.'H ina orderfiio` aid in ltheidistribut-ionof ithe plastic Jmolding material u in` the molds. f `The molding Amaterial having been.'equallyfdistributed in: apertures by fthe; .air under pressure ,circulating .ithrough'r-the'fluffed f-material, yalve f 92 Y is .turned :so .vas-.to connect icy-linder 2 lv-.t-l'iroughv pipe 495fwith'the-.sourceof vair pressurei88,-so,as to move bottom-plate; l 9 Vforward to. closefeedbox fl 8, .valve '9.1i .preferably being; closed at;thesame .ti-me.

The; moldfzcavities 'having` beenvilled.` and-gialle .box' l 8 and-bottom i gbeingfinitheirorward -posi- .tionn so .as torcoverzthe mold: cavities 4 l`,.-va=lve' 82 'which-` .controls the loperation :of-.pistonv 3m-iis now turned tot'connectthe pressureside 8.4.- ofjzuid vpump .80 :with conduit 3 2- so that oilffromy pump 88 .is :rforcedtagainst the l'underside of- ,piston` :38 f to fmove Jit@ forwardfandgrcompress l`the material. -in :the molds.; Sincereliefvalve .8T- an'dpipe 86pm- -ivide a lby-passA around vali/,e182 and cylinder. ,-31,

the maximum pressurezto whiclrrthe plastic; molding composition ais subjected can tbe controlledby 'valve 821is 'turned to thefpositioni shown-inFigure 13, thus-'placing conduit TS2-in communication e with reservoir 83 and-placing conduitf33 incommunica'tion 'with pressure-liners. lThe valve82 `4lease 'the pressure '-forr-v the'- molds) sol that Yithe formed articles-im'ayfbestrippeditherefrom. -f 'After this time, the valve 182 is turnedY to -itsneutral-po- 's`itior1, tall Aviiuioltfiow thenJ zbeing through vby--pass "86. Preferably, simultaneously with theV operak'tion'of valve? to'release pressureonf the molds,

' 'valvel-SS isfturned'- to thepositionfllustrated'm "neet, one side of the'piston-38ftofa'- reservoir J834 to r`exhaust *the 'uidf from that -sidel of thev piston y'-wher''fthe" other isideio'f the? pistonr is connected to ltliefpressure side ofy pumpfti, .theinlet or. Isuction itin-:order.to.reglatezsthei-maximumzamounttof Y*Figure* 13sov as vtoexhaustthe air'inicylinders 41 v'tothe'atmosphere thus permitting the-spring's-S' to yretract'tile'rnail-'hole forming plungers 52. rfValveS '89 and S22-'controlling the operation fof through pipe 9D so as to cause the feed box to be returned to its initial starting position. Cylinder 2| also being exhausted to the atmosphere through pipe 95, the bottom I9 is also moved to its initial starting position due to the engagement of feed box I8 with the shoulder 'i3 thus uncovering the mold cavities 4l.

. The molds being uncovered, valve 91 is turned so as to connect pipe 98 leading from the bottom of cylinder 29 with the compressed air source 88 to raise shaft 24 and its associated'stripper plates 23 so as to strip the formed shingles from Athe mold blocks. The shingles having been stripped from the mold blocks. they are removed, by 'any suitable means, and the v-alve 91 controlling piston 28 is turned so as to exhaust the lower portion of the cylinder 29 to the atmosphere and connect the upper portion through pipe 99 to the compressed air source 88 to cause downward movement of the piston 2B thus returning the stripper plates to their bottom position.

The stripper plates 23 having returned to their initial or bottom position, valve 82 is now turned again to the position occupied in Figure 13 to cause complete opening of the molds. all parts then being again in the positions shown in the drawings, a complete molding cycle having been completed. In actual operation, however, in order to save time, and prevent tunneling of materia1 in apertures, valve 89 is turned to cause forward movement oi the feed box I 8 over the molds before the molds have been opened their full amount.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured byLetters Patent is:

1. In amolding machine a support, a plurality of interengaging mold blocks arranged in series on said support and adapted to be moved towards and away from each other to form a series of compression molds having open tops, a container for moldable material adapted to'be moved over said openings for depositing said moldable material into said molds the bottom of said container forming a cover for said openings during the compression of said molds, means for moving said material container over said molds, operating means engaging the first mold block for moving said mold block towards said other mold blocks to compress said material into molded articles and away from said other mold blocks to open said molds, linkage means interconnecting said mold blocks to transmit substantially uniform opening movement from said iirst mold block to said other mold blocks so that said mold blocks will be separated substantially equal amounts at the end of said opening movement, power operated cores disposed within said mold blocks for forming openings in said molded articles, means for ejecting said cores from said mold blocks to penetrate said moldable material, and individual strippers provided for each of said molds, each of said strippers being continuously aligned with its respective mold, and means for simultaneously operating said strippers to eject the molded articles from said molds.

2. In a molding machine a support, a plurality of interengaging mold blocks arranged in series on said support and adapted to be moved towards and away from each other, said mold blocks forming a pluralityvof molds having openings at the top, a moldable materia1 container adapted to be moved over said openings for depositing moldable material in said molds, the bottom of said container forming a cover for said openings during the compression of said molds, means for moving said material container over said openings, means for moving said mold blocks towards and away'from each other to compress said material into molded articles, individual .stripper means provided for each ,of said molds, each of said stripping means being continuously aligned with its respective mold, means for simultaneously operating said stripping means to eject the molded articles from said molds, said mold blocks being formed with a mold cavity on one side and a projection on the other, the projections and cavities of adjacent mold blocks being of such dimensions that the projection will closely i'lt the adjacent cavity but will easily move into the same to compress material deposited therein; and an `and away from each other, said mold blocks forming a plurality of'molds having openings at the top, a moldable materia1 container adapted to be moved over said openings for depositing moldable material in said molds, the bottom of said container forming a cover for said openings during the compression of said (molds, means for moving said material container over said openings, means for'moving said mold blocks towards and away from each other to compress said material into molded articles, individual stripper means provided for each of said molds, each of said stripping `means being continuously :aligned with its respective mold, means for simultaneously operating said stripping means to eject the molded articles from said molds, said container comprising a closed box-like structure having a sliding bottom, a conduit communicating with said container for introducing molding material therein, a second conduit communicating with said container for introducing compressed air into said container, bracing means provided' at the bottom of said container adapted to engage said bottom to prevent the same from being forced into said container, power means for moving said container over said molds for lling the same and for returning said container to its initial starting position, and power means for moving said bottom over said molds to cover the same said bottom being returned to its initial starting position together with said container by said first mentioned power means.

4. In a molding machine a support, a plurality of interengaging mold blocks arranged in series on said supports and adapted to be moved towards and away fromeach other to form a plurality of compression molds, means for depositing moldable material in said molds to ll the same, operating means to move said mold blocks towards each other to compress said material into molded articles, and means for stripping said molded articles from said molds comprising an individual stripper for each of said molds, each of said strip- `pers being slidably securedto one of said mold strippers being loosely mounted on said shaft so 13 a supporting frame, a plurality of mold forming members disposed in series relation, each two adjacent members of said series together defining a compression molding chamber and a plurality or such molding chambers being provided by the series of members, each of said members being permanently associated with adjacent members, one surface of each of said members which bounds a molding chamber being formed with a recess having an inner end wall, and being substantially closed around its periphery except upon one side which is normally open, the other surface of each of said members which bounds a molding chamber being formed With a plungerlike portion fitting said recess in the opposite member and occupying at least a portion thereof at all times, the face of said plunger providing the opposite end wall of the molding chamber, means for effecting relative movement of said members upon said supporting frame so as to expand and contract said molding chambers, means for closing said open side during the cornpression molding process, and means for effecting the discharge of molded articles through said open side from said chambers upon the completion of a molding operation.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1l in which the article discharging means comprises individual ejector elements adapted to be projected through orifices in certain of the walls of the mold chambers into said chambers to contact the molded articles and eject them, a common elongated actuating member paralleling the series of mold members. extending in the general direction of relative movement of said members, and movable toward and from said mold members, connections between all of said ejector elements and said actuating member affording free relative movement longitudinally of said member, whereby said elements may automatically adjust themselves along said actuating member during relative movement of the mold members with which they are associated, and means for moving said actuating member to and from said molds for ejection and retraction.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim l1 in which the article discharging means comprises individual ejector elements adapted to be projected through orifices in the bottom walls into said chambers to contact the molded articles and eject them through said open tops of the chambers, a common elongated actuating shaft parallelling the series of mold members, extending in the general direction of relative movement of said members, and movable toward and from said mold members, freely sliding connections between all of said ejector elements and said actuating shaft whereby said elements may automatically adjust themselves along said actuating shaft during relative movement of the mold members with which they are associated, and means for moving said actuating shaft to and from said molds for ejection and retraction.

14. Apparatus for simultaneously molding a plurality of articles comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, a plurality of mold forming members disposed in a horizontally aligned series on the frame, each two adjacent members of said series together defining a compression molding chamber and a plurality of such molding chambers being provided by the series of members, each of said members being permanently associated with adjacent members. one surface of each of said members which bounds a molding chamber being formed with a recess having an end wall, oppositely facing side walls, a `bottom wall and a normally open top, the other surface of each of said members which bounds a molding chamber being formed with a plunger-like portion fitting said recess in the opposite member and occupying at least a portion thereof' at all times, the face oi' said plunger providing the opposite end wall of the molding chamber, means for effecting relative movement of said members horizontally upon said supporting frame so as to expand and contract said molding chambers and compress the material therein, means for effecting the discharge of molded articles from said chambers through said open top upon the completion of a molding operation, and means for closing said open top during-the molding and compression operation.

15. Apparatus for simultaneously molding a plurality of articlesY comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, a plurality of mold forming members disposed in a horizontally aligned series on said frame,each two adjacent members of said series together defining a compression molding chamber and a plurality of such molding chambers being provided by the series of members, each of said members being permanently associated with adjacent members, one surface of each of said members which bounds a molding chamber being formed With a recess having an end Wall, opositely facing side walls, a bottom wall and a normally open top, the other surface of each of said members which bounds a molding chamber being formed with a plunger-like portion fitting said recess in the opposite member and occupying at least a portion thereof' at all times, the face of said plunger providing the opposite end wall of the molding chamber, a charging container movable to and from a position over the open tops of said molding chambers for simultaneously charging them with material to be molded, said container closely fitting the open tops of the chambers and itself comprising an effective closure means therefor during the compression molding operation, means for moving said container, means for effecting relative movement of said members horizontally upon said supporting frame, so as to expand and contract said molding chambers, and means for effecting the discharge of molded articles from said chambers upon the completion of a molding operation.

16. In molding apparatus of the class described. a mold unit comprising a vertically disposed channel-shaped member, an element fixed to said first named member and bridging the channel of said member to define a slot therewith, a horizontally movable plunger member operable within the channel in the first named member and adapted to continuously engage the sides of said cavity, said members thus defining a compression' molding chamber having an open top, an ejector element slida'bly disposed in the slot of said bot tom forming element and adapted to close said slot during the molding operation, means for moving said ejector to discharge the formed article after said operation, and means for sealing the top opening of the chamber during the molding operation.

17. In molding apparatus of the class described, a mold unit comprising a channel-shaped member, an element fixed to said iirst named member and bridging the channel of said member to dene a slot therewith, a plunger member operable within the channel in the first named member and adapted to continuously engage the `18; lIn :aawrtcycliez :molding apparinfusi for; .simuler taneouslyamoldngaxpluralityrof amticlesyincom- -V Vbinatti'onfe pluralitynof ..mold; forming members Y disposed zrmseres .-relation, each;- two,` :adjacent members'r of sadzseries-deningf ilgethen a moldchambershbeing;provided by therseries 1of;mem,-l bers, each alternate one of*;sa@id moldi omging memherswbengv provided with; recesses i112` opposiksdes;thereof ,-"f1.uid pressure actuated ,core el'ementszdsposedinsad,recessesand:.projectable therefmm in: opposite directions Antozhe :respec-V tive. :adjacentv` V.chambers ato form 'holesa Vin' fthe articles-1 being-:molded :thereiny controlled :ducts nlfisaid members :for: transmitting :actuatngfud tovtsaidptnecesses;:ancha so111tce..of` 'pressure uid REFEREEQES: SEEE!) Y The-icy-lcmving-v references Lare -of recordbnfdthe- Number Colgntry. D gig 

